Process of marking hides, skins, and pelts for the purpose of identification



E. M. ROBERTS.

PROCESS OF MARKING HIDES, SK.|NS,AND PELTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFIGATION- APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2. I920- 1 3'?299@7b Paw/en Maw 29, 31921., Q

; EZEKIEL MASON ROBERTS, 0F ST..LOUIS, MISSOURI.

PROCESS OF MARKING HIDES, SKINS, AND PELTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFICA- TION.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pan/tented MWLZZQ, 1921i.

7 Application filed. June 2, 1920. Serial No. 386,079.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EZEKIEL MASON Ron- ERTS, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Marking Hides, Skins, and Pelts for the Purpose of Identification, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a process of marking of skins, hides and pelts in their raw or green state for the purpose of identification.

Heretofore it has been customary to mark hides, skins, pelts, etc., prior to their treatment by inscribing thereon the propermark ofidentification or by applying thereto a label or tag properly identified. Both of these methods have proven unsatisfactory in that in the first instance the material used for marking is eradicated by the action of the chemicals used in the various steps or treatments to which the hides are subjected and in the second instance where the tags or labels are used they become disfigured or destroyed due not only to the chemicals above referred to but also to the action of the machinery which includes the tramping machines and heaters.

My invention contemplates the creation of a permanent mark of identification by the destruction of parts of the hide, skin or pelt by punching, burning or cutting therein characters or symbols, in such a manner as not to injure the quality or value of same. 7

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which Figure 1 is a plan view, and

Fig. 2 is a cross section on line 2- 2 of Fi lhese drawings represent a skin having the usual fur side A and the raw side B. In Fig. 1 a configuration is indicated on the skinsuch as might be used for subsequent identification (see reference character C) and in Fig. 2 it will be seen that this configuration has been formed by the removal or destruction of portions of the skin from the raw side. Particular attention is called to the fact that this configuration does not effect the fur side B of the skin.

Various means may be devised for carrying out the present process, however, I contemplate from numerous experiments the use of minute punches arranged to -'form desired characters. These punches may be carried in suitable holders and the latter should be constructed to permit the removal of the various punches to enable a change in the character or in the size of the individual punch, as it will be obvious that the condition and kind of hide will necessitate changes in the punches.

In some instances when the hides or skins are in a certain state and the character of the skin makes same of exceptional value it will be impossible to use mechanical punches without injuring the hide or the fur carried thereby and in these cases it has been found expedient to use very small punches or needles and heat the same either by the application to a flame or a heated surface, or by constructing same with suitable elec trical resistance so that the application of a current of electricity will heat same. With these needles or punches heated to a proper temperature it is possible to form distinct perforations of sutlicient size as to be readily discernible.

In cases where it is not desirable to proceed along the lines above outlined it has been found that a suitable marking may be formed by the use of proper acids applied bv suitable forms, stencils or other means. It will be readily understood that by properly diluting the acids used or by neutralizing same at the proper time it will be possible to cause, a marking or identification which will not penetrate entirely through the hide or skin treated. In using this latter method on pelts the injuring or destruction of the fur will be avoided and at the same time a clear marking will be obtained which can not be eradicated or obliterated.

in applying certain of the means above outlined it will be found advisable to provide the punches with suitable gages or sets to prevent their penetration beyond the desired or prescribed depth and these gages or sets should be constructed to permit proper adjustment as may be necessary in the operation upon different varieties of hides.

Regardless of the type of marking apparatus or method used in marking the result must be such that the shrinking or distorting of the hide, skinor pelt will not destroy same, it being obvious that due to the pliable nature of a hide or skin, particularly when being treated With chemicals, a healing action J-W'lll be present tending toseal any diminutive cut or score.

From the aboveit will be seen that I have devised a method suitable for the '-marking for purposes of identification of all kinds and varieties of hides, skins andpelts regardless of the condition of the same or of thetreatment "to which they may be subjected in such a manner that eradication or obliteration is impossible. 13y these means the expense and trouble caused by the use ofthe present methods above outlined will be avoided.

It will be obvious that various changes in the means-and methods may be made with- 1 coinsistingin destroying a portion of the raw side of the said hide, skin or pelt a substantial distance from the margin along predetermined lines or configurations so that the effect from the fur side Will not be n0tic'eable,'the destroyed portions being of a sufiicient area to prevent healing during treatment. 7 s v 1 In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

.EZEKIEL ason noenn'rs.

Witnesses: v i 7' JAMns M. CAIRNS, I MYRTEL HOEHN. 

